The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Leeds, West Yorkshire:, tier 4

Irwin Mitchell LLP’s Leeds-based corporate offering was strengthened by the recent arrival of Paul Johnson, previously of Keeble Hawson. Kevin Cunningham heads the four-partner team, which also features the extremely capable James Bullock and Simon Cuerden. Standout work for 2008 included advising Seven Seas on the disposal of its pet and animal healthcare division to Bob Martin UK.

Within Corporate and commercial: Sheffield, South Yorkshire:, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a third tier firm,

James Bullock and Laurence Gavin are the names to note at Irwin Mitchell LLP’s Sheffield office. The team attracted a number of enviable new clients over the past year, including UK Steel Enterprise and the South Yorkshire Investment Fund. ‘The level of service is excellent, they are responsive and always meet deadlines, providing a good personalised service’.

Within Crime, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a second tier firm,

The following firms are on the Legal Services Commission’s Very High Cost Case (VHCC) panel: Ashton Morton Slack; Cartwright King; Clarion Solicitors LLP; Howells LLP; Irwin Mitchell LLP; O’Garra’s; and Tates Solicitors.

Within Crime, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a second tier firm,

Irwin Mitchell LLP’s Paul Haycock heads a practice specialising in business-related malpractice investigations and prosecutions. The firm recently acted on a string of SFO investigations, with two worth over £100m, and is also regularly engaged in HMRC investigations. It was recently joined by highly regarded fraud specialist Dan Stowers from Cartwright King

Within Licensing, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a third tier firm,

Irwin Mitchell LLP handles licensing reviews for local clients.

Within Commercial litigation: Leeds, West Yorkshire:, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a third tier firm,

Nick Bates leads the ‘very efficient and professional’ team at Irwin Mitchell LLP. Highlights includedadvising on a cartel case at the Court of Appeal involving complex EU and competition issues. Peter Bell is recommended.

Within Commercial litigation: Sheffield, South Yorkshire:, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a second tier firm,

Irwin Mitchell LLP provides ‘proactive, personalised advice’. The team, which features Danny Revitt, works closely with the Leeds office, and is experienced in competition and cartel claims.

Within Banking and finance, tier 5

Irwin Mitchell LLP is regularly instructed on smaller finance transactions by a range of top-tier lenders. ‘The efficient’ James Bullock is part of a strong team that was recently strengthened by the recruitment of Paul Johnson from Keeble Hawson.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, tier 4

Irwin Mitchell LLP’s Andrew Walker deals with banks and asset-based lenders, recently advising on a number of restructurings.

Within Employment: South Yorkshire, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a first tier firm,

Headed by Simon Coates, Irwin Mitchell LLP’s ‘exceptional and very professional’ employment team recently advised Jones Lang LaSalle on high-value employment matters including TUPE-related issues.

Within Employment: West Yorkshire: , Irwin Mitchell LLP is a third tier firm,

Irwin Mitchell LLP recently secured an appointment as employment law adviser to Croydon College. Splitting his time between the Sheffield and Leeds offices, national practice head Simon Coates is recommended.

Within Health and safety, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a third tier firm,

Irwin Mitchell LLP represents clients in the region undergoing prosecution by the HSE in workplace injury cases. Sabeeha Khan is active in the field.

Within Pensions, tier 5

Headed by Nigel Bolton, Irwin Mitchell LLP’s small Leeds pensions offering provides ‘sensible advice’ to corporate clients on pension schemes and their trustees, including the trustees of Thorntons Pension and Life Assurance Scheme.

Within Clinical negligence - claimant, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a first tier firm,

Irwin Mitchell LLP remains the dominant claimant firm in the region, acclaimed for its ‘consistently high standard of client care’, combined with ‘superior experience and specialist knowledge’. Spanning the full gamut of negligence complaints, leading lawyers include Rachelle Mahapatra and David Body.

Within Personal injury - claimant, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a first tier firm,

John Pickering heads Irwin Mitchell LLP’s comprehensive claimant practice, described as ‘unparalleled’ and ‘way ahead of the pack’ by clients who recognise its dominant market share, and deep pool of partner and support talent. The firm is praised for a ‘determination to ensure that the client’s interest, in the very broadest sense, is enhanced and protected’. Andrew Tucker recently represented several families during the high-profile Nimrod inquest, concerning soldier deaths.

Within Personal injury - defendant: North, East and South Yorkshire:, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a third tier firm,

Peter Crossland at Irwin Mitchell LLP has recently been advising on a string of motor accident cases, with injury expertise that covers spinal, head and amputation cases. Clients have ‘every confidence in getting the right advice and the best possible outcome in the case’.

Within Professional negligence - claimant, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a second tier firm,

As a longstanding leader in the individual claimant market, Irwin Mitchell LLP’s professional negligence team advised on a number of claims against solicitors, particularly in connection with personal injury cases. Sion Kingston is recommended.

Within Charities, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a third tier firm,

Irwin Mitchell LLP advises clients including Autism Plus and Yorkshire Air Ambulance on fundraising, contractual and structural issues. The ‘positive, proactive and thorough’ Michael Longden leaves clients ‘comfortable and confident’.

Within Family: Leeds and West Yorkshire, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a third tier firm,

Peter Morris joined Irwin Mitchell LLP from Langleys in early 2008 to head up the firm’s Leeds family offering, and is increasingly active advising on matters that include an international element, alongside Martin Loxley in Sheffield.

Within Family: North, South and East Yorkshire:, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a first tier firm,

Irwin Mitchell LLP is seeing more complex cases with international dimensions, as well as a greater volume involving collaborative law. Martin Loxley is strong in high-value divorce and financial provision matters, and was recently involved in a challenge to a mediated agreement involving a seven-figure sum.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a second tier firm,

Irwin Mitchell LLP is a market leader in volume will-writing and probate applications for financial services institutions, recently winning significant national banking clients. Louise Sykes heads the contentious offering.

Within Projects, energy and natural resources (including PFI)

Within Education, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a third tier firm,

Recent work for Irwin Mitchell LLP includes advising on a refinancing for Sheffield Hallam University, and procurements of improved intranets for clients such as Leeds City Council. Michael Longden heads the team.

Within Local government, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a second tier firm,

Irwin Mitchell LLP acts for local councils on matters that include procurement and PFI/PPP initiatives, recently advising a number of councils on the procurement of school intranet and IT-based learning platforms. Michael Longden is recommended.

Within Commercial property: Leeds and West Yorkshire:, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a third tier firm,

John Flathers, who is singled out for praise from clients, is the name to note at Irwin Mitchell LLP for property advice. The team boasts a broad spread of capability; it notably advised on the sale of a former chemical plant in Leeds to St Paul’s Developments, and was appointed for the first time onto Lloyds TSB’s property finance panel. The group offers a ‘first-class service and is particularly good at presenting different options’.

Within Commercial property: Sheffield, South Yorkshire:, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a second tier firm,

Irwin Mitchell LLP’s property offering is led by Kevin Docherty, who specialises in advising on the development of brown and greenfield sites, town centre and mixed-use schemes. The team handled a number of significant strategic land acquisitions, and enjoys longstanding relationships with some high-profile regional and national clients. ‘The level of service is excellent, efficient and the lawyers always offer guidance on what is the best option rather than just the legal standpoint’.

Within Property litigation

Within Intellectual property and information technology, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a second tier firm,

Irwin Mitchell LLP advises on a variety of IP and IT matters, including recent work for Seven Seas, a subsidiary of Merck, on the IP aspects of the sale of one of its businesses to Bob Martin. Joanne Bone manages the practice.

Within Sport, tier 4

Irwin Mitchell LLP’s recent work includes advising Sheffield International Venues on arrangements with Rotherham United FC for the use of Don Valley Stadium as a home ground. Howard Culley heads the team.

Within Regional review, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a second tier firm,

The region still offers an excellent level of legal advice. After Leeds heavyweights Addleshaw Goddard LLP, DLA Piper UK LLP, Eversheds LLP, Hammonds LLP, Pinsent Masons LLP and Walker Morris, there is a comprehensive range of firms that stand as effective alternatives to the ‘Big Six’. These include a number of national firms, such as Cobbetts LLP, Watson Burton LLP, DWF LLP and Irwin Mitchell LLP.

Within Regional review, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a second tier firm,

In Sheffield, a number of big names dominate. DLA Piper UK LLP, Nabarro LLP and Irwin Mitchell LLP all operate at the top of the market, followed closely by Halliwells LLP. However, a number of firms, most notably HLW Commercial Lawyers LLP, Taylor & Emmet LLP and Keeble Hawson, are hot on their heels.